CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — A concerned motorist has called on authorities to take action after falling victim to the emerging “Tunol Libre Sabon” scam along Taguanao Road, where individuals pretending to be students allegedly dupe passersby into paying for detergent products they initially offer as “free.”
According to the complainant, a young person who introduced himself as a student approached his vehicle and offered him a pack of powdered detergent. Out of curiosity, he entertained the offer, believing it was a simple giveaway. Moments later, the individual claimed the detergent was actually being sold as part of their supposed school activity under a TESDA-accredited program.
The scammer allegedly insisted that selling detergent powder was a requirement for their graduation, prompting the victim to purchase one set—five 450-gram packs—for ₱690. After verifying the incident later, the motorist discovered that several others had already fallen prey to the same scheme.
One victim shared a similar experience, saying they initially accepted the detergent thinking it was free. “Abi namog libre kay gi-tunol ra. Gi-chika pa mi nga parente daw mi sa father side. Pag-utro, pabayran man diay og more than ₱400 kay sale daw. Grabe ilang salestalk,” the victim recounted.
As complaints spread through social media, TESDA Region X issued an official statement distancing the agency from the incident. TESDA clarified that no TESDA school, center, or accredited program conducts roadside selling, solicitation, or product distribution as part of its training or graduation requirements.
“TESDA Region X wishes to inform the public that we are not, in any way, connected, affiliated, or involved with the individuals reportedly approaching motorists in Cagayan de Oro City,” the statement read. The agency emphasized that the persons involved are not students or representatives of any TESDA institution and urged the public to stay vigilant.
Authorities have been notified, and the complainant hopes that proper action will be taken to prevent more people from being victimized.
Residents are advised to report similar incidents immediately and verify any claims related to TESDA through its official communication channels.
The “Tunol Libre Sabon” scam has become an alarming reminder for motorists and pedestrians alike: if something is handed to you for “free,” it may come with a hidden price.